o 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


/ 


O 


1.0 


I.I 


1^12^    12.5 
1^    12.2 


-    1^      m^ 

!  --  IIIIIM 


I.B 


1:25  IIIIII.4   IIIIII.6 


"/ 


<^ 


/A 


*^^"^^v 


'^ 


'^' 


Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


\ 


iV 


&^ 


\ 


\ 


'Jb^ 


^«, 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


O^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  fok  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 
D 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covei^s  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^e  et/ou  pellicul^e 


□    Cover  title  missing/ 
Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

I      I    Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  gdcgraphiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


D 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Reli6  avec  d'aulres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serree  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t4  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  .-riodifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  e>.f ^er  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  6'9  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 

□    Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

□    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pellicul^es 

r^Pf  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
l__J    Pages  ddcolordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu^es 

□Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditach^es 

Showthrough; 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  indgale  de  I'lmpression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


rpT  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I  Only  edition  available/ 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6ti  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  facon  i 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmd  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


IT 


12X 


16X 


y 


20X 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  ffilmad  h«r«  Hm  bMn  raproducad  thanks 
to  th«  ganarosity  of: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Tha  imagas  appaaring  hara  ara  ths  bast  quality 
poasibla  considaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacif ication*. 


Original  copias  in  printad  papar  covars  ara  filmad 
baglnning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuttratad  imprat- 
•ion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copras  ara  filmad  baglnning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illustratad  impras- 
sion.  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illustratad  imprassion. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"!, or  tha  symbol  V  (moaning  "END"). 
whichavar  applias. 

Maps,  platas.  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  reduction  ratios.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'bxemplaira  film*  fut  reproduit  grice  i  la 
gAnArositA  da: 

Library  Division 

Provincial  Archives  of  British  Columbia 

Lea  imagas  suivantas  ont  itA  raproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin.  compta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
de  la  nattat*  da  I'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 

Les  exemplairas  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papier  est  imprimAa  sont  filmAs  9n  commandant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  en  termlnant  soit  par  la 
darniAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  lea  autraa  exemplairas 
originaux  sont  film*s  an  commen9ant  par  la 
pramiAre  paga  qui  comporta  une  amprainte 
d'imprassion  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  una  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  sulvants  apparaftra  sur  la 
darniAre  image  de  chaqua  microfiche,  seloh  le 
cas:  la  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  ▼  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartas,  planches,  tableaux,  etc..  peuvent  Atre 
filmAs  A  des  taux  de  rAduction  diffArents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  ciichA,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
da  I'angie  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas.  an  prenant  la  nombre 
d'imagas  nAcessaire.  Las  diagrammas  sulvants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

6 

^f 


T 


i^'^K 


* 


SPEECH 


OP 


MR.  DOBBIN,  OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 


ON 


THE   OREGON   QUESTION. 


Delivered  in  the  House  of  Representatives,  U.  »S*.  Januurij  15,  1846. 


Tlie  House  beinff  in  Conimitlee  of  tlie  Whole  on  the  State  of  tlic  Union,  ami  hnvin?  nnder 
consideration  the  resolution  avilhorizinij  the  President  to  give  the  notice  for  tiie  terniniaiion  of 
the  joint  occupancy  of  the  Oregon  Territory — 

Mr.  DOBBIN  addressed  the  committee  as  follows  : 

Mr.  Chairman:  I  do  not  arise  with  the  design  of  inllictinir  an  liour's  speech  upon  the  com- 
mittee; and  while  I  have  not  the  vanity  to  indulge  the  hope  of  entertaining  the  committee  with 
the  charms  of  splendid  declamation,  or  of  illustrating  this  vexed  question  more  elegantly  or 
more  clearly  than  other  gentlemen;  yet,  sir,  such  is  its  magnitude,  sucli  the  solemn  responsibility 
its  decision  imposes  on  every  reprrnentative — such  the  deep  and  intense  interest  with  which  our 
countrymen  are  all  watching  our  deliberations  here — that  I  feel  excused  and  jus>'tied  in  pro- 
daimhig,  witli  undisguised  frankness  and  candor,  and  as  succinctly  as  possible,  ai  least  a  por- 
tion of  the  numerous  reasons  which  animate  me  in  the  course  I  feel  co\istraincd  to  pursue.  Sir, 
I  believe  the  present  i.s  an  interesting  crisis  in  our  national  history,  when  legislation  should  be 
the  offspring  of  calm,  dis})assionate,  unexcitcd,  ])alriotic,  and  statesmanlike  deliinration  ;  when 
the  illiberal  and  contracted  suggestions  of  sectio'  ,ii  p-ejudice  should  be  sternly  discarded  ;  when 
party  animosity  should  be  sacrificed  and  forgotten;  i,id  this  grave  American  question,  involv- 
ing American  honor  and  American  rights,  be  .settled  I  v  the  suirsestions  only  of  American  pa- 
triotism. Mr.  Chairman,  had  a  stranger  entered  this'  )  \\\.  and  listened  to  the  thrilling  and  beau- 
tiful dissertations  on  the  loveliness  of  peace — the  n'.gbt.ul  descriptions  of  the  horrors  of  war — 
his  mind  would  surely  have  'v;en  impressed  with  the  ojiiuion  that  we  were  really  discussing  the 

Suestion  of  declaring  war  agi^insl  England  I     For  myself,  I  avow  my  diterminalion  to  vote  for 
_      le  resolution  of  the  Committee  on  Foreign  Afl'airs.  to  give  notice  to  Great  Britain  to  terminate 
'  the  joint  occupancy  of  Oregon,  in  pursuance  of  the  treaty  of  1828.     I  repudiate  the  charge  that 
tliis  is  a  war  measure.     I  fling  back  the  war-cry.     If  there  be  a  war  ]>arty  and  a  peace  party,  I 
belong  to  the  peace  party.     But,  sir,  this  incessant  alarm-shout  of  war,  war.  '■    <•,  shall  not  de- 
ter me  from  voting  to  give  this  notice,  when  I  entertain  the  sincere  conviction  thai  national  honor 
demands  it — good  policy  demands  it — fidelity  to  treaty  stipulation  demands  it — ;justice  to  our 
'  adventurous  pioneers  in  Oregon  demands  it;  and,  in  my  humble  opmion,  the  public  peace  will  be 
iiiore  surely  promoted  by  it.     Mr.  Chairman,  gentlemen  who  have  ingeniously  sought  to  make  this 
a  war  measure,  may  express  surprise  at  the  declaration.     But  here  in  my  place,  before  this 
House  and  the  country,  I  declare  my  solemn  belief  that  gentlemen  w^ho  oppose  this  measure  are 
openly  advocating  and  proposuig  a  course  of  policy  far,  far  more  calculated  to  plunge  our  happy 
country  into  an  early  war  with  England — more  evasive  and  violative  of  the  spirit  of  our  treaty 
stipulations — more  surely  to  multiply  difficulties  in  the  adjustment  of  this  already  too  long  pro- 
•trticted  controversy,  and  more  inconsistent  with  the  candid  and  honorable  bearing  of  this  gi-eat 
'  proud  republic.    What,  sir,  is  the  relative  position  of  parties  on  this  question  ?    All,  all 
elieve  our  country's  title  to  Oregon,  if  uot  perfect,  is  at  least  the  best.    All  concur  in  the  opinion 

J.  kO.  8.  Gideon,  Printers.  |    ■^ti    -'     '    i 

i  %)  U  i-»  t*^  iJ 


2 


treaty 
merer. 
•Jeclin( 
rnntcly 
The 


that  the  emigration  of  our  citi7,(|g^  and  of  Britisli  subjects  to  that  territory,  ami  tlic  difficulties 
and  confusion  iiece.sMarily  produced  by  contlictiuir  jurisdiction  and  laws,  Imully  call  for  n  tcrn\i- 
nalion  of  the  present  convention  between  the  two  countries,  All  noie  reject  the /m-m/^r/y  avowed 
policy  of  "  masterly  inactivity,"  and  propusf  nrlion.  But,  sir,  I  invoke  the  attention  of  the 
House  to  the  character  of  the  policy  of  gentlemen  who  discourse  so  vehemently  against  this 
notice  as  a  war  measure. 

The  distinguished  geiitlenian  fiom  Virginia,  (jVTr.  Hivtkk,)  whos(  elociueiice  and  patriotism 
all  admit,  proposes,  not  "inactivity,"  but,  the  pa,ssing  of  "  sucii  measures  as  may  encourat;c 
our  settlements  in  the  disputed  territory  wilhnut  contravening  any  treaty  stiinilations."     He 
thhiks  that  thousand.s  of  dollars  may  be  judiciou.sly  expended  for  colonizing  the  territory  ;  and 
that  if  our  settlements  are  once  firmly  planted  south  of  the  Columbia,  the  crack  of  our  An\eri- 
can  rifles,  and  the  sound  of  the  axe  of  oiu'  western  pioneer,  will  in  due  time  be  heard,  not  only 
north  of  that  river,  but  north  of  the  49th  narallel!     Another  gentleman,  opposed  to  the  notice, 
ventures  the  liope  that  soon  a  hundred  tliousand  American  emigrants  could  be  encouraged  to 
settle  there,  and  among  tliem  twenty  thousi  nd  good  riflemen !     Other  gentlemen,  who  concur  in 
this  mjVrt//e(/ pacific  policy,  concur  also  in  the  opinion  that  this  is  the  wisest  policy  to  secure  the 
territory,  not  only  to  the  4i)th  degree,  but  "  the  whole  uf  Oregon" — .some,  even,  in  their  ardor'f 
stoutly  scouting  the  idea  of  ever  allowing  to  Great  Britain  a  pound  of  its  earth,  a  rock,  a  tree, 
or  shrub!     And  this,  Mr.  Chairman,  is  irravely  urged  by  gentleu'en  as  the  penreful  mode  of  .se- 
curing the  "  wholf;  of  Oregon."     For  what  are  emigrants  to  be  encouraged  to  go  to  Oregon: 
To  seize  possession  of  it .'    What  are  the  implements  they  bear  with  them  f    The  axe,  and  the 
riHe,  too.     What  is  to  be  heard  after  they  reach  there?    The  sound  of  the  axe,  but  the  crack  •>! 
■the  rijlc,  also.     What  part  are  they  to  oi-cupy'     First,  '.hey  are  to  settle  south  of  the  Columbia 
but  in  due  time  they  are  to  press  on  north  of  the  Columbia,  and  north  of  the  49tb  parallel!     1 
ask,  what  means  tiiis  rush  of  emigrants,  bearing  not  the. olive-branch  of  peace,  but  the  instrii 
nient  of  war  .•     Does  this  j>lan,  even  at  the  starting  point,  wear  the  aspect  of  \wmc  ':     I  denoum'. 
the  scheme,  while  I  respect  its  ctriginators.     It  doubtless  was  suggested  by  a  desire  for  peace 
but  it  is  deceptive,  and  i^uist  lead  to  war.     Reject  this  resolution,  and  refuse  ti^give  the  notice  ii 
accordance  with  the  tre  ay,  and  adopt  the  other  policy,  and  wliat  will  the  Bruish  Govermiiei 
say?     What  the  Hudson  Bay  Coni|)aHy.-     What  the  other  powers  of  the  world  say :     Woul 
not  the  British  minister  here  inform  his  Government  that  although  the  Congress  had  refused  i 
give  notice,  not  t<>  be  lulled  into  apathy,  that  the  American  Coi.gress  had  discussed  the  policy  i 
giving  the  notice,  but  that  some  dif;tinguished  gentleiuan,  being  alarmed   lest  it  might  produ' 
war,  had  j)ersuaded  the  adoption  of  another  policy,  called  the  peace  policy,  l)y  wliich  emigrani 
under  the  guise  of  .>jettling  the  country,  were  to  go  armed  with  rifles;  that  they  were  first 
plant  themselves  south  of  the  Columbui,  but  that,  "  in  due  season,"  the  crack  of  the  Anieric 
rifle  was  to  be  heard  even  north  of  4t)°.'     And  that,  by  this  jilan,  "  the  whole  of  Oregfin"  w 
■to  be  secured  I 

Tliink  you,  sir,  that  the  British  Cabinet,  ever  sensitive  to  British  interest,  woidd  hear  all  tl 
and  be  idle.-    Would  they  not  jiromptly  and  energetically  adopt  n  counteracting  policy,  startl  '  |Ve  liavej 
at  the  development  of  this  new  scheme  of  ours  ?     Would  they  not  encourage  British  emigraii     "^jtyi  an 
and  setid  Britisli  soldiers,  too,  to  settle  in  Oregon,  to  save  it  from  falling  into  the  hands  of  Ad     wisest  st 
ricans?    Would  they  not  feel  iU'oused,  even  to  excitement,  on  learning  that,  instead  of  giv;     countrynj 
notice,  we  liad  resolved  on  resorting  to  a  scheme  })rofessing  peace,  but  ultimately  designed      had  no  ' 
the  exclusive  seizure  of  "the  whole  of  Oregon .-"  ;al)Ie  Gail 

And,  Mr.  Ciiairman,  when  the  American  emiurrants  and  the  British  emigrants  reached  tlii  ;'^"y  -"nbj 
what  wouhi  follow?    The  cross  of  St.  George,  and  the  stars  and  stripes,  would  i)e  seen  float  i^"*^  "ot  a 
in  dangerous  jiroximity.     Under  the  one,  would  be  seen  rallying  the  Hudson  Bay  Compii 
with  their  savage  allies  and  British  soldiers  ;  under  the  other,  the  liardy  and  adventurous  A  r, 
cans,  attached  to  their  soil,  and  bent  on  its  exclusive  ])ossession.     How  long,  sir,  could  ? 
jealous  adversaries  eye  ea(;h  other  as  contending  rivals  for  sovereignty  in  Oregon,  and  ren 
unexcited  and  peaceful .-     Is  it  not  to  be  expected,  sir,  under  such  circumstiinces,  that  soon  tl 
would  be  collisions,  skirmishes,  and  violent  outbreaks?     Would  not  the  report  of  the  first 
be  the  signal  for  general  conflict  •    Would  not  the  news  be  lUUTied  over  the  mountains  to 
bold  and  daring  countrymen  in  the  West,  who  would  rush  to  the  detence  ntid  aid  of  their: 
■and  brotiiers  in  Oregon  ?    Would  not  the  news  fly  to  England?     And  then,  sir,  would  iii 
the  horrors  of  war  be  the  early  fruit  of  this  i)eaceful  mode  of  saving  Oregon  ? 

Much  has  been  said,  in  this  debate,  about  the  importance  of  having  the  sympathies  of  o 
powers  in  the  event  of  war.  Would  not  England,  in  such  a  war,  have  the  advantage  in 
particular  ?  Would  she  nf)t  say  to  the  other  powers,  when  asked  what  produced  the  w.-.r 
Americans  refused  to  give  the  notice  accordinj  to  treaty,  l)ut  avowed  a  determination  to  .■:'' 
by  other  means,  and  that  she  was  bound  to  defend  or  be  recreaiU?  I  appeal,  sir,  to 
tlemen  to  look  calmly  at  these  natural  consequences  of  their  policy,  and  tell  me  if  its  pc; 
character  can  commend  itself  to  their  judgment  ?  Sir,  it  would  begin  in  an  undignifietl  .s 
ble  for  land  .and  end  in  war. 

Again,  Mr.  Chairman,  I  cannot  avoid  the  conviction,  that  if  we  have  resolred  on  terniii 
this  controversy,  and  exercising  sovereignty  over  Oregon,  or  of  taking  possession  of  it,  w  fij!''  '"^^' 
honorably  bound,  by  the  treaty  of  1898,  to  give  twelve  months'  notice  to  Great  Britain,     il.'J.'^i"',' 
zard  our  national  reputation  for  fidelity  to  treaty  stipulation.     It 


in  Oreg 

for  the 

Mr. 

nationa 

■v'ith  m 

if  the  p 

giving  I 

and  hig 

piece  of 

dent,  ur 

gentlemi 

dishono 

But,  J 

dispute 

haunted 

in?  patri 

war  mils 

•  tiation — 

multiply, 

ing  war. 

war,  and 

niote  and 

for  more 

after  tlie  1 

not — conf 

liope,  thai 

be  arousci 

own  proij 

world  wil 

this  quesij 

the  jirom/ 

so  hfistilJ 

better  thaf 


t^tiite,  wll 
I  England  f 
|the  cr^ 
^negotiatij 
tJtiurels  (ij 
^ourels  nj 
that  Mrj 
•with  )iiii| 
Jiegotiatil 
■Of  compJ 
tliereby  i 
difficuftij 
to  f)ur  ti-| 
people, 
notice  ui 

Ge]ul,r 
■duty, 
to  our  pi 
in  war- 
*nd  bull 


IS  well  known  that  B  ,|'"'' ^«-''" 


w 


for  n  U'rnii- 
nly  aVDwril 
iliDii  '»r  tlie 
agiiinxt  llu.^ 

,1  patriolisiu 
V  ciicouriiiic 
itioiis."     H<'- 
iiiUiry  •>  ainl 
.  our  Ameri- 
iird,  not  only 
to  ihc  nouoc, 
iioouraged  to 
ho  concur  in 
,  to  scrure  the 
in  their  unhn'T 
a  rock,  a  tree, 
III  mode  of  se- 
,  ^o  to  Oregon: 
i^axe,  iindihi 
\)ut  the  crack  0} 
the  Colunil)i;> 
i)tli  piwixllcr.     1 
,  but  the  instni 
I  denimni' 
Icsire  for  pea"'"- 
rive  llie  notice  ii 
'ish  Governmci 
Idsnyf    Woul 
ss  had  refused  i 
sHcd  the  policy ' 
it  might  produ' 
which  eniigrani 
ihey  were  first 
,  of  the  Americ 
3  of  Oregon"  w 

vould  hear  all  tl 
iiig  policy,  startl 
British  nnigraii 
the  hands  of  An 
t^  instead  of  giv^ 
nately  designed 

•ixnts  reached  tlv 
uld  he  seen  f^oai 
son  Bay  Comp;- 
adventiu-ous  A  i, 
ong,  sir,  could  s 
Oregon,  and  ren 
icesj  that  soon  tl 
port  of  the  first 
he  nionntains  to 
i^id  aid  of  their  ^ 
[>n,  sir,  would  n^ 

•n? 
sympathies  of  <• 

he  advantage  ir. 

oduced  the  wr.r 

ermination  to  .-'' 

I  appeal,  sir,  to 
tell  me  if  its  pc^ 
an  vuidignified  s 

golk'ed  on  tei;niii 
)ssession  of  it.  ''• 
)  Great  Britain, 

II  known  that  B 


atfttesmen,  and  eminent  statftsmen  in  our  own  country,  and  in  this  Housfl,  deny  that  it  was  a 
treaty  for  "joint  occupation,"  hut  a  commercial  conventif>n  for  the  purposes  of  trade  and  com- 
merce. If  Inat  be  the  true  construction,  I  ask,  can  we,  witii  that  treaty  staring  us  in  the  face, 
dechnc  giving  the  notice,  and  pass  mensures  to  colonize  Oregon  for  the  avmced purpose  of  ulti- 
mately thereby  seizing  the  "whole  of  Oregon,"  even  to  54°  40'  ? 

The  committee  will  mark  thr  manifest  (iistinction  betW'  <\  protecting  our  adventurous  pioneers 
in  Oregon,  hy  throwing  the  shield  of  our  laws  a'-ound  the,  and  encouraging  them  to  settle  there 
for  the  avowed  policy  of  seizing  the  country,  to  the  ultini     >  exclusion  of  the  Englisli. 

Mr.  Chairman,  statesmm  should  ever  hesitate  and  p^  Jer  well  when  national  honor  and 
national  faith  is  at  stake.  And,  sir,  witii  great  deference  to  the  eminent  gentlemen  who  differ 
v'ith  me  on  this  question,  I  appeal  to  gentlemen's  sense  of  lionor  and  frank  and  manly  dealing, 
if  the  jjolicy  of  emigration  and  colonization,  for  the  purpose  of  taking  the  territory  virtually  ftp/oir 
giving  the  notice,  comjiorts  well  with  the  magnammous,  Ijold,  and  manly  bearing  of  a  proud 
and  high-minded  nation.  Will  not  the  nations  of  the  world  taunt  us  with  it,  as  an  unmanly 
piece  of  tnanagemcnt,  partaking  more  of  the  character  of  an  artful  game  than  of  candi4,  indepen- 
dent, undisguised  action?  And,  sir,  will  they  not  have  too  nuich  cause  to  do  it?  I  beseech 
gentlemen  to  pause,  to  pause  long,  before  our  nation  is  made  to  act  a  part  even  bordering  on 
dishonor. 

But,  Mr.  Chairman,  when  gentlemen  seem  convinced  of  the  importance  of  terminating  this 
dispute  with  England,  and  that  difficulties  are  aimually  accumulating,  their  imiiginations  are 
haunted  l)y  the  trrrific.  war  scenes  so  ingeniously  depicted  here,  that  while  they  tjilk  with  burn- 
ing patriotism  about  "the  whole  of  Oregon,"  they  urge  the  policy  of  colonization,  and  say  if 
war  must  come,  time,  time,  time  is  to  achieve  our  triumph.     Sir,  this  cry  of  time — wait — nego- 
tiation— has  been  raised  and  sounded  here  for  twenty-eight  years  I     Difficulties  are  constantly 
multiplying,  and  still  the  .same  cry  is  made.     Gentlemen  argue  as  if  giving  this  notice  is  declar- 
ing war.     All  admit  it  is  of  itself  not  c«me  of  war;  and,  Mr.  Chairman,  instead  of  producing 
war,  and  shutting  the  door  of  negotiation,  1  advocate  it,  because  I  firmly  believe  it  tends  to  pro- 
mote and  hasten  nes^olintion  and  to  preserve  peace.     Sir,  have  we'not  struggled — yes,  strus;gled — 
for  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  ceiUury  to  negotiate  with  England  without  giving  this  notice?     And 
after  tlie  lapse  of  that  time,  can  it  be  called  rashness,  war,  madness  to  give  the  notice?     May  we 
not — C(mfiaently  relying  on  the  strength  of  our  title  and  righteousness  of  our  cause — indulge  the 
hope,  that,  when  the  notice  is  given,  England  will  reflect,  will  appreciate  our  earnestness,  will 
be  aroused  by  the  pressing  importance  of  prompt  action  to  act  the  jmrt  in  negotiation  of  lier 
own  proposals,  which  her  own  sense  of  justice  will  dictate,  and  the  public  sentiment  of  the 
world  will  admonish  her  she  ought  to  do?    Sir,  I  applaud  the  President  for  his  ed'nrl  to  settle 
this  question  in  that  spirit  of  liberal  concession  so  creditable  to  his  heart;  but  I  equally  applaud 
the  promptness  with  which  he  took  an  independent  and  firm  position,  when  the  British  minister 
so  linstily  rejected  that  liberal  offer.    With  a  title  which  no  candid  man  can  hesitate  to  i>ronouncc 
better  than  hers,  he  still,  in  the  spirit  of  concession,  approached  her.     She  discarded  our  offer. 
r  We  Imve  done  our  part  for  compromi.se;  if  she  desires  it,  let  her  noiv  act.     Sir,  let  us  do  our 
duty,  and  give  the  notice.     Has  not  negotiation,  without  the  notice,  baffled  the  efforts  of  our 
wisest  statesmen?     Did  not  Mr.  Clay,  with  his  lofty  genius,  the  admiration  of  so  many  of  his 
countrymen,  try  and  fail?     Did  he  not  suggest  the  most  liberal  offer,  while  he  said  that  England 
had  no  "color  of  title  to  any  portion  of  the  country."     Did  not  Mr.  Monroe,  Rush,  and  the 
■able  Gallatin,  also  attempt  it,  and  fail?     Has  not  Mr.  Calhoun,  whose  giant  intellect  can  gra^p 
'any  subject,  and  who  has  evinced  so  much  desire  to  i'djust  it,  attempted  and  failed?     And  have 
i"we  not  all  peru.sed  with  pride  the  masterly  correspondence  of  our  jiresent  eminent  Secretary  of 
I'Staie,  who  has  also  failed  in  his  efforts  at  negotiation?    When  Lord  Ashburton  came  from 
■  England  as  a  special  minister  to  adjust  our  controversies,  do  not  gentlemen  remcml)er  well  that 
Hhe  (T''- v/icn  was  to  "hush  up  discussion  " — the  notice  will  be  considered  a  threat,  and  check 
negotiation?    And  do  not  gentlemen  know  that  his  lordship  returned  home  content  with  the 
daiucls  and  land  he  acquired  in  the  northeast;  leaving  it  to  some  fortunati.  successor  to  acquire 
■laurels  and  land  in  the  northwest?     Was  not  the  same  sugge.slion  made  when  it  was  announced 
that  Mr.  Pakenham  was  coming?     And  gentlemen  know  the  result  of  the  effort  to  negotiate 
■with  him.     And  yet,  Mr.  Chairman,  after  all  these  liberal  concessions,  these  anxious  efforts  at 
jiegotiation  vithovt  notice,  by  our  most  eminent  and  learned  diplomatists,  struggling  in  a  spirit 
.■of  compromise  for  a  quarter  of  a  century,  we  are  told  to  wait  a  while  longer,  to  pause  still,  and 
tliercby  literally  allow  Britain,  by  time,  to  strengthen  her  prelen.sions  to  title,  and  increase  the 
difficulties  in  the  way  of  adjustment.     Sir,  I  think  our  path  of  duty  is  clear  and  plain.     Fidelity 
to  our  treaty  demands  that  we  first  give  the  notice,  for  we  are  bound  to  protect  and  defend  our 
people,  who  are  daily  flocking  to  that  territory,  under  the  belief  that  it  is  ours,  and  that  this 
iioticc  will  be  given. 

Gentlemen  say  that  perhaps  war  may  follow.  I  trust  not,  and  trust  that  England  will  do  her 
•duty.  But,  sir.  must  wc  be  alarmed,  frighteiicd  from  the  discharge  of  what  honor  and  justice 
to  our  people  commands  us  to  do,  because  England  may  in  her  folly,  without  cause,  involve  us 
in  war?  Peace  has  its  cliarms,  and  war  its  horrors.  The  mind  delights  to  contemplate  the  holy 
find  benign  influence  which  an  honorable  peace  exerts  on  nations,  science,  morals,  and  religion. 
The  man  that  would  recklessly  check  it  in  its  progress,  promoting  happiness  and  prosperity  in 
ibur  beloved  country,  has  neither  the  heart  of  a  patriot  or  a  christian.     All — all  shrink  with  ab- 


T 


horrencc  from  contemplating  the  carnage,  and  bloodshed,  and  wretchedness  that  mark  tlie  deso' 
lating  track  of  war.  But  let  us  "be  just  and  fear  not,"  as  has  oft  been  said.  Think  you,  sir, 
if  the  great  and  gallant  Washington  and  Lafayette  could  revisit  us,  they  would  not  blush  at  our 
degeneracy  in  shrinking  from  duty  at  this  cry  of  war?  Would  they  not  remind  us  of  our  early 
history,  and  tell  us  that  the  "race  is  not  always  to  the  swift,  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong;"  but 
that  a  just  God  controls  the  destiny  of  nations  and  of  men .''  Sir,  while  I  listened  with  pleasure 
at  the  charming  eloquence  of  an  honornb'e  gcnilt man  this  morning,  who  vindicated  so  ably  our 
title  to  Oregon,  I  was  struck  with  no  little  sur[jrib»'  at  a  part  of  his  argument  for  delay — for  time, 
and  against  the  notice — quite  evincive  of  the  scarcity  of  more  solid  reasons.  It  was,  that  John 
Bull  was  getting  older  every  day,  and  that  already  he  had  gray  hairs  upon  his  head,  and  that 
therefore  time  would  do  much  for  us!  An  adversary  does  us  much  wrong,  and  keeps  from  us 
our  own — we  must  bear  it  i)i  patience — and,  if  upon  observation  we  discover  a  few  gray  hairs 
on  his  head,  we  are  to  leave  him  for  the  present  to  persist  in  his  wrongs,  calmly  consoling  our- 
self  that  as  our  adversary  is  already  a  little  gray,  he  will  become  older  and  weaker  in  the  decline 
of  years,  and  llun  the  fight  shall  be  made!  And  shall  an  American  Congress  seriously  act  upon 
this  princfple,  in  reference  to  our  valuable  territory  in  the  northwest,  in  which  we  have  already 
suffered  so  much  by  delay?  Surely,  surely  not,  sir.  Suppose  our  ancestors — the  glorious  sons 
of  '76 — when  but  three  millions  only,  writhing  under  a  sense  of  unjust  oppression,  and  indigntmt 
at  the  unholy  attempts  to  crush  them  with  stili  more  intolerable  burdens,  had  concluded  that 
"although  Great  Britain  is  rudely  pressing  us  down  with  the  yoke  of  tyranny,  we  will  wait 
until  she  gets  older!"  Instead  of  this  proud,  independent  republic,  America,  in  all  probability, 
would  now  be  in  a  state  of  colonial  vussaltige.  But,  sir,  such  timid  counsels  prevailed  not  m 
the  days  of  Washington,  and  Adams,  and  Franklin.  No,  sir,  no;  the  moment  they  felt  that  the 
principles  of  tnie  liberty  were  violated,  and  their  remonstrances  despised,  they  flew  to  arms,  and 
spillea  their  blood  on  many  a  battle-field.  Suppose,  sir,  in  our  last,  our  second  war  of  inde- 
pendence, our  patriot  and  gallant  statesmen,  in  the  glorious  Congress  of  that  day,  had  listened 
to  such  timid  counsels  of  waiting  for  John  Bull  to  got  older,  and  had  been  seduced  and  frightened 
by  the  panic  cry  of  the  horrors  of  war!  Who,  sir,  can  now  conceive  of  its  influence  on  the 
reputation  and  destiny  of  our  happy  country  ?  Our  hardy  tars,  perhaps,  would  still  be  impressed, 
our  flag  still  insulted,  and  our  merchant  vessels  plundered  on  every  sea.  But,  instead  of  this, 
the  American  feels  a  thrill  of  patriotic  delight,  as  his  mind  reverts  to  the  noble  tnumphs  of  that 
war,  and  the  laurels  won  on  land  and  on  sea,  by  promptly  daring  to  maintain  our  rights. 

Mr.  Chairman,  gentlemen  have  said  much  of  our  want  of  preparation  for  war.  I  do  not  ex- 
pect war,  but  if  it  is  inevitable,  our  best  fortifications  will  be  found  in  the  noble  hearts  of  our 
patriotic  countrymen — our  best  preparation  to  let  the  people  understand  tl  jir  rights.  A  large 
standing  army  and  navy  have  heretofore  been  regarded  as  contrary  to  the  genius  of  republics. 
Such  are  a  few  of  the  reasons  that  guide  me  on  this  question.  I  yield  to  other  gentlemen  who 
are  eager  to  participate  in  this  debate,  and  will  add  but  little  more. 

I  believe,  in  the  present  state  of  this  controversy,  our  nationivl  honor  will  be  impaired  if  we 
now  falter  or  hesitate  to  give  this  notice.  Firmness  and  undaunted  courage  only  can  win  from 
England  respect,  and  exact  from  her  justice.  An  unnecessary  war-cry  has  been  thrust  into  this 
debate.  1  do  not  anticipate  it ;  but  if  it  come,  let  us  begin  it  m  honor,  and  it  will  end  in  triumph. 
England  will  be  the  aggressor.  And  if,  sir,  for  the  want  of  preparation,  clouds  and  darkness 
obscure  our  horizon  awhile,  I  believe  the  same  protecting  power  that  bore  us  successfully  through 
the  dark  and  perilous  days  of  the  revolution  will  sustain  us  again.  And  if  history  informs  us 
that,  in  the  war  of  1812,  defeat  and  disaster  cast  a  gloom  over  our  country  for  a  season,  history 
also  informs  us  that  soon,  with  a  host  of  oiliei  gallant  spirits,  we  had  a  Brown,  and  a  Scott,  and 
a  Jackson  to  make  it  i3rminate  in  a  blaze  of  glory  on  land,  and  our  Hulls,  and  Perrys,  and 
Lawrences,  to  break  the  spell  of  British  invincibility  on  sea. 

Mr.  Chairman,  I  will  detain  the  committee  no  longer.  It  is  my  misfortune  to  differ  on  this 
occasion  with  many  with  whom  it  is  my  pleasure  generally  to  concur.  While  I  regret  it  much, 
I  feel  animated  with  a  consciousness  of  the  rectitude  of  my  motives.  The  peculiar  crisis,  sir, 
demands  firmness  as  well  as  prudence,  and  true  patriotism  admonishes  the  statesman,  in  the 
^lowuig  language  of  another — 


■:'   ^'■:•.Tt 


"  ne  juBt  and  fear  not ; 
Let  all  the  ends  thou  aiin'st  at  be  thy  country's,  tny 
God's,  and  truth's;  then,  if  Uiou  falPst, 
Thou  fall'sta  blessed  martyr." 


•J 


^r^    I 


.i*..,'!t,i; 


...<^  u    ii<  .-.-■,  .ii  .    •('!    1',;    '■'■rill      I    :.  i..     i,\    ,ii.-:i        ■  y' 

'   '•'■.'  ''J  .-I       7  >    ri  >Uii>i 


■n 


lark  tlie  Ueso* 
link  you,  Hir, 
t  blush  at  our 
s  of  our  early 
I  strong;"  but 
with  pleasure 
d  HO  ably  oul* 
lay — for  time, 
ras,  that  John 
ead,  and  that 
:eeps  from  us 
ew  gray  hairs 
onaoling  our- 
iu  the  decline 
ualy  act  upon 
'■  have  already 
glorious  sons 
and  Indignant 
oncluded  that 
,  we  will  wait 
1  probability, 
availed  not  m 
y  felt  that  the 
r  to  arms,  and 

war  of  indc- 
,  had  listened 
md  frightened 
uence  on  the 
be  impressed, 
stead  of  this, 
imphs  of  that 
rights. 

I  do  not  ex- 
hearts  of  our 
litif.  A  large 
1  of  republics, 
iitlemen  who 


^^#!% 


npaired  if  we 
can  win  from 
irust  mto  this 
id  in  triumph, 
and  darlcne.ss 
ifully  through 
•y  informs  us 
!ason,  history 
1  a  Scott,  and 
i  Perrys,  and 


'  t 


•T.-.v 


differ  on  this 
igret  it  much, 
iar  crisis,  sir, 
3sman,  in  the 


